Super thick dandruffy itchy tail

[canteron]

What do you do? Special shampoos or rake or ????

I brush it out most days and as it gets warmer will wash once a week. It is so thick and I don’t really want to rake it as I think it’s very beautiful, but it does get oh so itchy, so any management tips appreciated!

 

[Prancerpoos]

Deosect for lice.

 

[Griffin]

I tend to use thinning scissors but if you don't get on top of the itching early, your will end up with a thinner tail anyway as it will get itched and the hairs break.

I wash my mare's tail regularly in a little bit of Micro-Tek and thoroughly rinse it. I also make sure that I sponge down under her tail and between her legs because if they get sweaty there, that can contribute to itching.

I am bit of a fan of Red Horse products and their Sweet Oil it quite useful. I just put a little on my hands, warm it up and then comb it into the top of the tail.

 

[canteron]

Oh I like Red Horse products, so will try that - Petalpoos it isn't lice (yet!) but that's worth bearing in mind as it would be the perfect breeding ground!

 

[Quigleyandme]

I have a pair of washing gloves with studded palms which are great for breaking down and removing the scurf in tails that just washing will leave behind. A dilute vinegar final rinse might also help.

 

[onemoretime]

My mare has a scurfy tail in the spring and I wash it with Waitrose dandruff shampoo for the first wash. I then use Day Son & Hewitt Medicated Shampoo for the rest of the season. The dandruff soon clears up.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Following as I have a mare with a super-thick tail!

 

[HollyWoozle]

I've just bought some of the sweet oil by Red Horse to try too! It says to do a patch test so have done that today - one pony has scurfy mane and top of tail (but not super itchy) and our Appy has very dry pasterns. I love Red Horse stuff so thought I'd give it a go. Will report back!